Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guatemala (Agenzia Fides) – The high rate of violence, deportations, unemployment, influx of Mexican drug dealers, and the establishment of groups of organized crime throughout the nation are some of the main problems that have the Bishops of Guatemala seriously concerned. They have even asked that the Government take prompt measures in intervening to avoid a social crisis in the country.
Many of the nation's Bishops have spoken out against these events taking place in their dioceses.
Bishop Victor Hugo Palma Paul of Escuintla asked the faithful of his diocese to join in days of prayer for peace and national security. The Bishop wrote a Pastoral Letter to the people of Escuintla, calling the region's situation “grave,” in light of the rise in the number of murders, attacks, extortions, kidnapping, and robberies. The Bishops of Izabal, San Marcos, Huehuetenango, Totonicapán, Quiché, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu all made similar declarations. According to the Prelates, the apparent anarchy, weakness of the judicial system, lack of political presence in several of the country's regions, and the lack of confidence that has arisen towards security forces have led the people to confide in their local pastors and Church authorities, in voicing their complaints.
Auxiliary Bishop Rodolfo Medoza of Guatemala City expresses his regret for the fact that the Church's activity has also been hindered by the violence. One of the main causes of the violence is drug trafficking. In fact, Guatemala is a key location in the region, for the distribution of drugs, which has led to conflicts between various drug-trafficking gangs. The influx of Mexican groups working in the transport of cocaine has led to even more violence. The Church is also concerned that the drug traffickers take advantage of the situation of many youth and children, in order to ensnare them in the business and turn them into dealers or hit men.
Another serious problem is that of the gangs, present on an everyday basis in the lives of the people across the nation. According to Bishop Pablo Vizcaíno Prado of Retalhuleu, his diocese “used to be considered a tranquil region, and now it has become one of the most insecure localities of this department, because the gangs have gained territory.” The people no longer go out on the streets after a certain hour and “parents no longer wish to send their children to school,” Bishop Oscar Julian Vian of Quetzaltenango said.
Another phenomenon in this region of the country that has troubled the Bishops, is the increased sales of farmlands to unknown persons who offer large sums of money which do not correspond to the real value, leaving the suspicion that the real reason behind the offer is drug-related.
The Bishops also worry about the high rate of violence and the rise in the number of murders, attacks, extortions, kidnapping, and robberies in their dioceses. They also mention the breakup of families, the economic impact of deportations, the rise in unemployment, etc., which they consider consequences of immigration. According to the Bishops, the lack of public policies that can respond to the negative effects of these problems leads to a rise in criminal activity, as families are led to the point of despair. Bishop Ramazzini explained that in San Marcos, the impact of this problem has been strongly felt. “The people who return cannot find work and the family income has dropped.”
The stricter immigration policies being imposed by the United States has led to a rise in the number of deportees year after year and the financial crisis, internal economic problems, etc., have led to a rise in the number of unemployed persons in the country.
The Bishops also consider the loss of moral values and a loss of interest in the faith as some of the main obstacles in finding solutions to these social problems. According to the most recent statistics from January to September 2008, there have been 4,775 murders, more than in 2007 in the same period of time. 3,943 people were wounded by gunshots, 600 more than in 2007. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2008)
